Israel confirmed on Tuesday that it had received human remains handed over by Palestinian militants to the Red Cross. The origin of the remains, whether they belong to the three hostages still missing in the Gaza Strip, remains uncertain. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the remains would undergo forensic testing and identification.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad reported discovering the remains earlier this week in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza. This handover is part of the ongoing efforts following the recent ceasefire agreement, which has been maintained despite accusations of violations from both sides.
Following the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in October, where Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel, the agreement also included a provision for the return of the remains of 28 hostages in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinian militants.
To date, Palestinian militants have returned 25 sets of hostage remains. The remaining hostages are believed to include two Israelis and a Thai national. In response, Israel has released the bodies of 330 Palestinians to Gaza, with many still awaiting identification.
Israel has urged Hamas to expedite the return of all remains, citing difficulties in recovering them due to debris from Israel’s two-year offensive. The Israeli government has warned of potential military actions or withholding humanitarian aid if the remains are not promptly returned, viewing the delay as a breach of the ceasefire.
In related developments, an Egyptian state-affiliated news channel reported that Egypt hosted a meeting for mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire deal, attended by intelligence officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Discussions focused on implementing the next phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s post-war Gaza plan, addressing challenges such as ceasefire violations and ensuring its stability.
Additionally, a Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, engaged in talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo to strategize the next steps outlined in Trump’s plan. Since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violations and faced challenges in advancing the subsequent stages of the peace plan.
